Social media outlets add an online dimension to ancient ritual of grief

CARMEN SMYTH/SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Jessie Castillo (left), who worked at Tony’s Pizzaria, hugs Kharys Sandowich, daughter of Johnny “Tony” Barrios, during the June 12 memorial service at the VFW post in Ventura.

Ventura County Star

Facebook Photo
A screen grab from the memorial Facebook page that was set up for David Tipton who died in September 2012.

Facebook Photo
A screen grab from the memorial Facebook page that was set up for Natalie Holcomb, who passed away in 2004.

Facebook Photo
A screen grab of a post from the memorial Facebook page that was set up for Johnny “Tony” Barrios who recently passed away.

CARMEN SMYTH/SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Bruce Barrios (right) son of Johnny “Tony” Barrios, helps Ester Barrios, Tony’s first wife, to her seat during a memorial service at the VFW Post in Ventura.

Ventura County Star

CARMEN SMYTH/SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Friends and family of Johnny “Tony” Barrios filled the VFW post in Ventura for a memorial service.

Ventura County Star

CARMEN SMYTH/SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Johnny Barrios Jr., a tech-savvy member of the Barrios family, talks with Elizabeth Vandoorne as he looks up information on his phone during the June 12 memorial service for his father, Johnny “Tony” Barrios, at the VFW post in Ventura.

Ventura County Star

Johnny "Tony" Barrios never met a stranger in his 88 years, so when he passed away on May 27, his youngest son, Johnny Barrios Jr., had to figure a way to get the news out to hundreds of people.